Swordsman runs after handler of stolen goods (6)
I believe the answer is:
fencer
'swordsman' is the definition.
('fencer' can be a synonym of 'swordsman')
'runs after handler of stolen goods' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'handler of stolen goods' becomes 'fence' (I've seen this before).
'r' after 'fence' is 'FENCER'.
(Other definitions for fencer that I've seen before include "A sportsman with swords" , "could be making enclosures" , "He sports with the sword" , "One encloses" , "Sword fighter" .)